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Springfield couple whose son nearly drowned at city camp joins Hampden District state Senate race

Updated February 1, 2018 at 5:44 PM;Posted February 1, 2018 at 5:19 PM

FILE PHOTO- Lorenzo Gaines and Giselle Vizcarrondo, both of Springfield, enjoy a public reception for state Rep. Jose F. Tosado, of the 9th Hampden District, D-Springfield, at the Colony Club in Springfield, Thursday, March 9. The reception was part of a celebration of his re-election to the Massachusetts Legislature. (Frederick Gore Photo)(Frederick J. Gore)

SPRINGFIELD -- A city couple are jumping into the race for the Hampden District state Senate seat that encompasses all of West Springfield and parts of Chicopee and Springfield.

Lorenzo Gaines and Gizelle Vizcarrondo, who live together at 329 Bay St., have taken out papers to run for the seat held by state Sen. James T. Welch, D-West Springfield. Gaines will run unenrolled, while Vizcarrondo will run as a Democrat.

Gaines and Vizcarrondo are the parents of Marc Vizcarrondo, a 5-year-old who nearly drowned in a pool at Camp STAR Angelina in Forest Park last summer.

Earlier this week, Springfield Ward 1 City Councilor Adam Gomez, a Democrat, said he had taken out papers for the seat. Gomez sits on the council with City Council President Orlando Ramos, who is the director of Welch's district office.

Gaines ran for the Ward 4 City Council seat last fall, but did not advance past the preliminary, finishing third in a five-way race.

Vizcarrondo ran for the Ward 2 seat on the Springfield School Committee and also did not advance from the preliminary, finishing last in a three-way contest.

"This is about making sure that more resources come back to the district, not just to West Springfield and Chicopee, but to Springfield," Gaines said. "I want to raise the profile of the Hampden County senator."

Vizcarrondo said she was inspired by women like Tahirah Amatul-Wadud, a Springfield attorney who will challenge incumbent U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, D-Springfield, in the 2018 Democratic primary.

"She has six children, I have five children, and I just think it's really inspiring," Vizcarrondo said. "I think it's time for women in Massachusetts to get empowered and run for office."

Gaines said together they hope to reach voters who feel disenfranchised.

"I think we can galvanize the people and create a movement that resonates with this comeback city," Gaines said.

Welch was first elected to the Senate representing the Hampden District in 2010. Before that, he served in the state House of Representatives, representing the 6th Hampden District.

"I wish them all the best of luck," said Welch, adding that he will make his formal announcement for re-election soon.